On Friday, August 14, 2009 Platinum-selling recording artist/bestselling author Corey "C-Murder" Miller was sentenced to life without parole after being found guilty of murder earlier in the week. This is the second time that Miller, who maintains his innocence, has been found convicted of this crime; however, over the past few years he has begun a dialogue through his work that is not going to be stopped. Part of the movement to keep Miller's positive influence on the world alive will be led by Cyrus A. Webb, President of Shadow Play Entertainment/Conversations Book Club and the host of Conversations LIVE! Radio.
"Cee has managed to do something that few in Hip Hop have accomplished," says Webb,34. "He made it cool to read and to believe that no matter what you have done in your life, it's never too late for you to make a difference."
Webb first began corresponding with Miller in late 2006 after the release of his book DEATH AROUND THE CORNER. (Read the full story of how the two of them have worked together to push a literary revolution over the past three years here.
Though from two seemingly different worlds, both Miller and Webb found common ground in the story that was told in DEATH. "I was so impressed by how he shared parts of his life and the lessons he had learned in the book while also writing a book that people of all walks of life could appreciate," says Webb. DEATH (publshed as the first book on Vibe's Street Lit line and distributed by Kensington Publishing) sold tens of thousands of copy through C-Murder's Myspace page alone.
After holding one booksigning in New Orleans, Miller began working with Webb in 2007 in doing book discussions interviews about the book in order to get the world out. The two eventually got permission to tour with the book, selling hundreds of copies and getting others involved in the storyline and the messages that the novel brought to the light.
When asked about his support of Miller in spite of the controversy and legal woes surrounding him, Webb had this to say: "One of the things I have learned from Cee is that he has no problem taking responsibility for what he has done wrong in his life. He has never made excuses, and tries to use his skills as an artist and author to show a better way than what he chose at times. If he says he is not guilty of something he is accused of, I have no reason to doubt him."
To make sure that the work that Miller did is not forgotten or stopped, Webb is reaching out to his family as well as other authors and community leaders in New Orleans and to see how his organization (Shadow Play Entertainment) can continue to keep the light on issues that mattered to him. At the top of Webb's list are projects geared at promoting literacy and addressing violence.
"In April 2009 Cee held a press conference addressing the issue of senseless violence," says Webb. "In a statement read at the event, he said 'I stand before you today a new man that's ready, willing, able to do everything in my power to bring an end to these senseless murders. Get it right, this movement is not about Corey Miller, or anything other person. It's about our kids, our future, and our safety.' That is why I feel like it would be a great disservice to New Orleans and the world to let this go undone."
Another way Webb will be keeping Miller going and relevant is by allowing him to speak in his own voice to the world. Webb was able to be a part of exclusive discussions and interviews with the recording artist/author that he has been making available over the past year. "Because of a gag order, Cee wasn't able to speak much to the public, but in the videos and radio interviews we are sharing, you get to hear him talk about himself, his work and his convictions.
Miller was chosen as Conversations Book Club's Most Fascinating Author of 2008. Here is a radio interview done to mark the event. (Platinum-selling recording artist C-Murder speaks on literacy, his name, more here: http://bit.ly/KVb3H )
When Conversations began its book club chapter in New Orleans (in 2008), C-Murder was the first author discussed. Below are never-before-seen videos of that book club discussion where over 40 men and women came together for the meeting.
What does Webb hope all of this accomplishes? "I just want people to know the man that I got to know through these events and discussions," he says. "I know that sometimes the story told in the media might be exciting and intriguing, but it is not always the whole story. We have to be open to all sides, or we'll never be able to make an informed decision about anything. If I've learned nothing else from my time with C-Murder, that would be the biggest lesson."
For more information about Webb and his upcoming projects, email him at cawebb4@juno.com or visit www.cyruswebb.com. To see how he continues to promote the causes involving C-Murder, bookmark www.thebestbookclub.info.
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